Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop 1000 Review
- Product:
- Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop 1000 (company site)
- What’s Good:
- Feel of the keys, quiet keys, solid mouse
- What’s Bad:
- Unexpected key positions, mouse clicking weirdness
I didn’t think I was a particularly aggressive typist, but I was getting angry stares from my co-workers when I was furiously hammering away at my keyboard. I needed to find a quieter keyboard before I was thrown out onto the street. The keyboard included in the Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop 1000 came close to meeting my criteria, but had some critical failings.
I was originally using an old Dell “QuietKey” keyboard, which must have been named ironically. I understand that some of the Dell QuietKeys are indeed quiet. This one was not - the keys were clacky and loud.
My next stop was another old keyboard, the Microsoft Internet Keyboard. This keyboard has a nice soft key feel, but again, it was just too loud.
I finally took a trek out to the FutureShop and tried each of the keyboards they had on display for key-mashing sound levels. The basic Microsoft Internet Keyboard now sells for a remarkable $14.99 (Canadian), but is still as loud as ever.
I came across a slick black Microsoft with a much softer and quieter key set. This was it. Unfortunately, it was part of a “Wireless Optical Desktop” set. I have absolutely no need for a wireless keyboard. My keyboard never moves anywhere, so a cable is not a problem. Still, I was willing to try it out for the sweet softness of the keys. The set also came with a wireless mouse (previously reviewed on its own), which I had no need for, as my trusty old Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer is still kicking. Again, worth it for the feel of this keyboard.
Back at the office, I was all setup (on Linux, no less) after a quick and easy un-pack and plug-in (the wireless base-thingy plugs in via USB). The keys still felt great, and the key-mashing volume was at an acceptable level for my co-workers.
After a few minutes, though, I started to notice the fatal flaws. First, the Insert key was in an unusual location (as the “Shift” option on the Print-Screen key). For most people, this would be fine. Who uses the Insert key anyhow? It turns out I do, a lot. Mostly when writing code (in the VIM text editor).
Then, I stumbled across another keyboard arrangement issue that quickly became irritating. The function keys (F1, F2, etc.) are arranged in four groups of three (F1-F2-F3, F4-F5-F6, F7-F8-F9, F10-F11-F12). Every keyboard I have every used before this had the function keys arranged in three groups of four (F1-F2-F3-F4, F5-F6-F7-F8, F9-F10-F11-F12). This means that to close a window (Alt+F4 in Windows and most Linux desktops) I would look for the last key in the first group. With this new keyboard though, the F4 key was now the first key of the second group. Errors abound!
I’m sure I could have gotten used to these alternative key arrangements in a few days. However, I don’t want to learn a new keyboard layout and then have to un-learn it every time I use another computer (which I do often). So, less than an hour after purchasing it, I have packed up the Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop 1000 and I will be returning it for a full refund ($79.99 Canadian, plus tax).
I also had some trouble with the click on the wireless mouse. I might have just been crazy, but occasionally, the click wouldn’t work until the mouse had some (any) movement. This was very frustrating, but other owners of the same mouse report no such problems. Maybe it was just me.
In the end, I scavenged another generic Dell keyboard from an old machine here at the office. It’s quiet, the keys are where I expect them to be, and I’m not out $100.
As for your original IntelliMouse working, I envy you a GREAT deal. It was my favorite mouse for many years, but the usb cable shorted out and now it only works intermittently. I'm on the wireless desktop 1000 right now in fact, and the same things drive me nuts too. I also have complaints about the locations of the 'forward' and 'back' buttons on the mouse, buttons I became accustomed to on the original IntelliMouse.
Good review.
Sadly it's not only Microsoft that has adopted this newfangled key layout. New logitech keyboards (whom I would consider a leading peripheral manufacturer) are also using the modified layout. (I can't confirm the "F Lock" key though.)
For a good keyboard, I'm using the cheap-o $16 logitech keyboard. It was really quiet when I first got it, and now over a year later the keys are starting to click a bit, which is normal. I don't think we'll see a totally silent keyboard until haptic display lcd keyboards come along (dreeeeam)
If anyone wants play games buy something else. Buy Logitech, even Genius or A4Tech because they work. Microsoft wireless optical desktop 1000 sucks. Like many other Microsoft products for that matter.
The Keyboard has a nice feel and is soft and quiet. No more banging away at 3am in the morning waking up people that are asleep.
Though I was annoyed with the F key arrangement, and the insert key arrangement which I use occasionally to edit my texts quicker.
But for $69.99 AUD, I dont think I have gone wrong. Most other keyboards in the same price range had the same setup with the keys.
I love the calculator button on the keyboard, as I use a calculator often..
My score 8.5 out of 10.
I am having trouble with my key board. It will not print or move when i hit the keys What is the problems I have change batteries more then once. I checked my wiring too also booted the pc several times. help me please
Thank u Joseph
Asperger
Anyone else experienced this or has any idea?
Mouse: Wen i buy another mouse i am going to throw this one out the window, it works about 45% of time. Wen u click it on something it might not work and is very g*y. But wen it is working its nice, kinda loud but i dont care. Kinda heavy but u get used to it, and if i could go back i woulda bought a logitech or something.
this is costing me £19.33 only on a web exclusive deal.
This is really a piece of crap!
When I am not on the phone the keyboard and mouse works just fine, at least most of the time. Sometimes the mouse seems to miss clicks, but it is not too big an issue.
However, what really terrible is the keyboard is not compatible with my cell phone (Sony Ericsson K600i). When I am on the phone, the mouse and keyboard input is blocked and just rarely being accepted. This is tremendously annoying, since in my office we are only using cell phone + head set. I really have to replace this keyboard immediately, *anything* will be better than this.
Strange thing, however, is that I did not have that issue initially. And replacing the batteries did not seem to help. Talking about batteries: even when using high quality batteries the mouse is allready complaining about low battery level after one day of use!!! However, I don't bother about that, seems like that battery level warning has no relation whatsoever to the real battery level.
Also, you are all right that the keyboard layout stinks. Especially the Insert key, which I use rather frequently.
On a scale from 1-10 I cannot give this desktop more than 0. It simply aint working, it's miserability is out of the scale!!!
Since we have installed it, Screensaver won't turn on anymore. I've been calling Microsoft to report this bug (because they don't accept bug reports by email, they prefer you to wait on the line). One hour so far, i'm still on the phone...
Other stuff are working perfectly. But i must agree with others about the key disposition (f1-f2-f3, f4-f5-f6... the huge delete key, etc), it's quite annoying.
I agree with Jag comment about the fact it's cheap, but as cheap as it is: It should work. Not 50%, not 80%, but 100%. If it's not working, then just don't put it on the market.
What would you say if you had half of your car not working properly? "Oh, it's just a Hyundai, you had to expect this kind of problems". Sorry, but brakes are brakes, they should work on every car that you buy.
Anyway... still on the phone. I had to write my frustration somewhere.
As you can imagine, it is major frustration when the click does not work.
I fully agree with others about the bizare keyboard layout. I still can not get used to the odd placement of the Insert key and I do not understand the reason for the huge Delete key, which is all too easy to press by mistake.
When the keyboard and mouse work, life is good though I still hate the keyboard layout. I've gotten so fed up with the mouse that -- after reading other peopele's postings -- I will dig into the wallet to replace the set and put the mouse under my truck's tire and see what it thinks of that. And the next set will NOT be Micrsoft. And this happened on my old PC and now (using the same mouse) on a new Dell desktop running XP Pro.
Arrch.
I bought this set about a week ago. I like the quieter keyboard and don't mind the layout, since I don't use the insert key or most other buttons other than the standard keys, and am apparently too coordinated to hit the delete key by mistake as some of you do. I have, however, had the same problem with the mouse sometimes not reacting when I click it. I have a (clouded) glass desk with a keyboard drawer. and find this problem only seems to exist when the mouse is on the drawer. When I place the mouse on the top of the desk, admittedly a more uncomfortable position, it works flawlessly, so it must be sensitive to interference. Since I will only end up paying $25 (U.S.) for it after a $10 rebate, it's hard to complain.
make money online idea
make money online idea make extra money idea computer business idea to make money business idea to make money now quick idea to make money easy idea to make money from idea make money people idea for teen to make money work at home business idea to make money online idea make money new product idea for kid to make money creative economy from idea make money people idea to make money from home make money fast idea idea to make extra money idea on how to make money at home idea to make money idea make money online make money online idea
http://bestquicksearch.info
free download games music video free download games music video
free black jack
free online strip black jack free online black jack game black jack online free tokens and tournaments bingo black asino jack poker free casino online free black jack free black jack game black casino free game jack free strip black jack free black jack
However does anyone know how to turn off the real time data input. Every time I try and type '
This is a test 08:39:26 Real time
as you can see it inserts real time and i need this to stop.
Any help would be much apprecaited.
Thanks
